Shloka 30
'जो प्राणियोंके जन्म, मृत्यु और चेष्टाओंको ठीक-ठीक जानता है, वह भी इस संसारमें मुक्त ही है! ।। प्रस्थं वाहसहस्रेषु यात्रार्थ चैव कोटिषु । प्रासादे मउचकं स्थानं य: पश्यति स मुच्यते,“जो हजारों और करोड़ों गाड़ी अन्नमेंसे केवल एक प्रस्थ (पेट भरने लायक)-को ही अपने जीवन-निर्वाहके लिये पर्याप्त समझता है (उससे अधिकका संग्रह करना नहीं चाहता) तथा बड़े-से-बड़े महलमें मज्च बिछाने भरकी जगहको ही अपने लिये पर्याप्त समझता है, वह मुक्त हो जाता है”
bhīṣma uvāca | yaḥ prāṇināṃ janma-mṛtyu-ceṣṭāḥ samyag yathāvat jānāti sa api asmin saṃsāre mukta eva | prasthaṃ vāha-sahasreṣu yātrārthaṃ caiva koṭiṣu | prāsāde mañcakaṃ sthānaṃ yaḥ paśyati sa mucyate ||
Bhishma said: One who truly understands, as they are, the birth, death, and movements of living beings is already free even while dwelling in this world. Likewise, one who, amid thousands of cartloads and even crores of provisions meant for travel, regards a mere prastha as sufficient to sustain life—and who, even in a vast palace, considers only the small space needed to spread a bed as enough for oneself—such a person is released from bondage.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Liberation is supported by right understanding and contentment: knowing the realities of life (birth, death, and the drives of beings) and limiting one’s wants to what is truly necessary—food enough to live and space enough to rest—cuts the roots of greed and attachment.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and the path toward peace and freedom. Here he uses vivid measures—prastha of food amid vast stores, and a small bed-space within a palace—to illustrate inner renunciation even while living amid abundance.